Finding out that you have breast cancer will be life-changing. In the weeks that follow, you will spend a lot of time with your doctors, working to come up with the best treatment plan to suit your needs. Every patient is different. Some may need a double mastectomy. Others may benefit from a lumpectomy and chemotherapy. Regardless of what your individual treatment plan looks like, the following tips will help navigate this difficult time.

Get a second opinion.

You may have the very best breast cancer doctor in the world, but it's still a good idea to get a second opinion before you start a treatment program. Even the best doctors accidentally overlook things on occasion, and the second doctor may pick up on something they missed or know about a treatment that is better for you. If the second doctor has very similar recommendations to the first, then you can start treatment with greater confidence that you're doing the right thing — and it's important to be confident in the treatment you choose.

See a therapist.

With all of the appointments you're going to lately, the idea of also seeing a therapist once a week may sound a little overwhelming. But it is so worth it! You can talk to your therapist about the challenges you encounter during treatment, and they will offer you support. They know what advice to offer based on experience, and their advice will help you maintain a positive mindset throughout treatment.

Don't be pressured to share too much.

These days, with the popularity of social media, it is easy to feel like you need to share all of the details of your life. But you don't need to share any more about your breast cancer treatment than you feel comfortable sharing. If you share too much, you may end up having to respond to a lot of questions and concerns from people, and that can get overwhelming. Tell the people close to you what you are going through, and don't feel pressured to share anything publicly if the idea makes you feel uncomfortable. If anyone asks you questions about your treatment that you don't want to answer, saying you would rather not talk about that is a completely acceptable response.

The tips above can help you navigate a breast cancer treatment program and come out the other side feeling confident and at ease. Your doctor or therapist can give you additional advice, so lean on them for support, too.